Beacon's Beach

Visitors are greeted by a patchwork of greenery on the sloping hills and long surf breaks crashing in the sea below as they wind down the sandy path to Beacon's Beach. This beach is a local favorite because it has a neighborhood feel on the sand and plenty of it for sunbathers. That walk, on the other hand, tends to keep crowds at bay, so you'll have plenty of space to yourself once you get down to the water. Because of the effort required to get down to the water, this is not a beach frequented by families. Some of San Diego's beaches can have a universally appealing, vanilla vibe. Beacon's Beach is not one of them; it lacks the crowds but is just as beautiful as San Diego's most popular beaches.

Because there are no restrooms and beach access is difficult, this is not a beach frequented by families with children or those with mobility issues. There is a small parking lot and limited street parking, so plan on a short walk. However, once on the beach, that walk means you'll have plenty of space to yourself.